Search Results (47)

Background/Objectives: Little is currently known of the impact of heated tobacco on health. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of heated tobacco use on selected health assessment parameters among people aged 18–30 to determine the effect on health status. Methods: A case-control study was conducted from April 2022 to February 2025. A total of 195 young, healthy adult residents of Lodz, Poland, took part. The participants were divided into three groups: IQOS (I-Quit-Ordinary-Smoking) smokers who had never smoked or who had quit smoking six months previously (n = 65); daily smokers who had smoked at least five cigarettes per day for at least one year and had not used any other smoking substitutes for at least one year (n = 65); and people who have never smoked or used tobacco products (n = 65). Blood samples from 37 IQOS users (57%), 28 traditional cigarette smokers (43%), and 45 non-smokers (69%) were submitted for laboratory analysis. The tested parameters were determined in the diagnostic laboratory of the Bonifratów Hospital in Lodz. Results: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between the groups with regard to blood count (white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), lymphocytes, monocyte number (MONO), hemoglobin concentration (HGB)), biochemical biomarkers (C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, apolipoprotein A1 (apo A1), apolipoprotein B (apo B), glucose), or lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)). The cigarette smokers demonstrated significantly higher uric acid levels compared to the IQOS users and non-smokers: 5.22 vs. 4.77 vs. 4.40 mg/dL (p < 0.01). The IQOS users demonstrated significantly higher platelet count levels compared to cigarette smokers and non-smokers: 290.27 vs. 267.14 vs. 256.33 × 10³/ μL (p < 0.05). Among the IQOS users (n = 37), the level of glucose (ρ = −0.47; p = 0.01), WBC (ρ = −0.36; p = 0.03), lymphocytes (ρ = −0.38; p = 0.02), and uric acid (ρ = −0.34; p = 0.04) was negatively correlated with the daily number of heated tobacco sticks. The HDL level was positively correlated (ρ = 0.39; p = 0.02) with the daily number of heated tobacco sticks. Conclusions: Further cohort studies assessing the health status of young users of heated nicotine products and prospective analyses are necessary. Full article

Background and Objectives: The rising popularity of new-generation electronic cigarettes (e-cig) like JUUL necessitates a better understanding of their impact on respiratory and other body systems, as the effects of JUUL’s components remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of JUUL components on ion channels and airway surface liquid (ASL) height in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). Furthermore, the cytotoxic effects of these components were investigated in human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells. Materials and Methods: The components tested included nicotine salt (NicSalt), benzoic acid (BA), sodium hydrogen tartrate (NaTar), propylene glycol/vegetable glycerin (PG/VG), freebase nicotine (FBNic) and nicotine salt+benzoic acid (NicSalt+BA). Each component was prepared at 100 µM, and HBECs were exposed for 24 h to measure ASL height, short-circuit current (I_sc), and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Results: Initial exposure (0 h) to these substances did not significantly alter ASL height. However, after 2 h, FBNic-treated HBECs exhibited a significant reduction in ASL height compared to NicSalt and other tested substances, with the most pronounced decrease observed at the 6th hour. This effect persisted over prolonged exposure, suggesting a cumulative impact on airway hydration and epithelial function. Additionally, adenosine administration did not induce a significant increase in ASL height. NicSalt, BA, and FBNic were found to disrupt ion balance in HBECs, affecting ion channels and ASL homeostasis while significantly decreasing TEER. In terms of cytotoxicity, NicSalt, and benzoic acid demonstrated minimal cytotoxicity at low concentrations, whereas FBNic showed significantly higher cytotoxicity at moderate levels. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study highlights that e-cigarette components can disrupt airway surface liquid homeostasis by affecting ion channel activity, compromise epithelial barrier integrity by reducing transepithelial electrical resistance, and emphasize the importance of their cytotoxic effects. Full article

In recent years, habits related to smoking have been changing. An increasing portion of light/occasional smokers tend to define themselves as non-smokers, leading to an incorrect perception of the risks that smoking even a few cigarettes can entail. In this study, we investigated the nicotine-induced cognitive distortion in young, higher-education students with low/moderate dependence (as indexed by the Fagerstrom questionnaire). The study involved 111 participants (62 female; mean age 24.43 ± 3.77) divided into smokers and non-smokers, who responded to specific questionnaires to evaluate their attachment style, emotion dysregulation, and state anxiety. Their response to smoking-related cues following emotional stimulation was experimentally evaluated, with participants being made to choose between care- or smoking-related images, following the presentation of threatening or neutral stimuli. The results show a cognitive bias in smokers, with participants choosing smoking-related stimuli significantly more often than non-smokers, with a slower reaction time, regardless of emotional cues. Emotion dysregulation and attachment style were also significantly correlated with response choice but not with response latency. Overall, our data indicate that there is no such thing as light use of nicotine and that smoking, even if not continuous, determines cognitive biases that lead to a vision of the environment as a function of substance seeking. Full article

To study and monitor the adverse health consequences of using electronic cigarettes, a user’s puff topography, which are quantification parameters of the user’s vaping habits, plays a central role. In this work, we introduce a topography sensor to measure the mass of total particulate matter generated in every puff and to estimate the nicotine yield. The sensor is compact and low-cost, and is integrated into the electronic cigarette device to promptly and conveniently monitor the user’s daily puff topography. The topography sensor is comprised of a photometric sensor and a pressure sensor. The photometric sensor measures the mass concentration of the aerosol, based on scattering of near-infrared light from airborne particles, while the pressure sensor measures the flow rate. The topography sensor was tested under various conditions including a wide range of atomizer power, puff duration, and inhalation pressure. The sensor’s accuracy was validated by comparing the sensor’s readings with reference measurements, and the results matched closely with the trends reported by existing studies on electronic cigarettes. An example application for tracking a user’s puff topography was also demonstrated. Our topography sensor holds great promise in mitigating the health risks of vaping, and in promoting quality control of electronic cigarette products. Full article

Smokers employing electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and heated tobacco products (HTP) are currently the most common types of smoking patients seen in the dental practice. Both types of smoking are currently viewed as less harmful than cigarette smoking. However, many studies already indicate that they could harm oral health. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to collect a comprehensive overview of the actual knowledge regarding ENDS and HTP from a clinical and a laboratory perspective. Publications available through PubMed, Embase, the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were used to summarize the effects of ENDS and HTP on oral health. Six surveys on self-perceived gum disease (T2 = 9.47 I2 = 99.32%), three cross-sectional studies reporting the BOP score (T2 = 8.68 I2 = 99.13%), and four in vitro studies on apoptosis after vaping exposure in human oral fibroblasts (T 2 = 8.10 I2 = 91.50%) were separately analyzed. The risk of bias ranged from critical to low. Both ENDS and HTP seem to have detrimental effects on periodontal and peri-implant parameters, and laboratory tests confirmed the presence of carcinogenic and inflammatory biomarkers. flavored e-liquids may also be a caries risk factor. Comprehensive smoking counseling should be carried out with all types of smoking patients, investigating the type of habit in terms of duration, nicotine percentage, and additional flavorings. Additional research is necessary to assess the long-term effects of alternative tobacco products on oral health. Full article

Research suggests consumers may misunderstand modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) claims. We examined the effects of nicotine content across four tobacco products with and without MRTP claims among a racially and ethnically diverse sample of adults who do and do not smoke. Adults (n = 1484) aged 21–65 completed an online experiment using a 2 × 2 × 4 mixed factorial design to examine the effects of tobacco product (Classic White Snus, IQOS, JUUL e-cigarette, and VLN cigarette) and nicotine content (high vs. low) stratified by MRTP claim (present vs. absent) across four outcomes: (1) likely to try (2) serious disease if used regularly, (3) least addictive, and (4) ease of quitting smoking. Not including an MRTP claim resulted in an increased likelihood of trying a product, decreased concern of serious disease, lower perceived addictiveness, and increased ease of quitting smoking. Participants selected low nicotine IQOS without a claim as the least likely to cause serious disease. Low nicotine JUUL, without a claim, was selected as least addictive and most likely to facilitate quitting. Intentions to try were highest for low nicotine JUUL. Participants selected low-nicotine products as less addictive than high nicotine products. Regulatory efforts should consider how MRTP claims interact with different product characteristics. Subtle differences exist across outcomes between racial and ethnic groups, which indicates that further research is warranted. Full article

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, vaping products) have become increasingly popular, with recent increases in use associated with closed systems delivering higher concentrations of nicotine. Most vaping products designed as an alternative to combustible cigarettes contain nicotine. A number of published studies have examined the reported concentrations of nicotine in vaping liquids (e-liquids) and found discrepancies between labelled and measured levels. Some discrepancy can also be explained by the lack of stability of nicotine in these types of products. Recently, a chemical analysis method for the quantitative determination of low and high levels of nicotine in vaping liquids was developed. This method uses dilution with acetonitrile prior to analysis with gas chromatograph mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in single ion monitoring mode (SIM). The developed method was validated using a laboratory-prepared vaping liquid as well as commercially available, nicotine-free products fortified with nicotine in the laboratory. The method detection limit (MDL) and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) for nicotine were calculated to be 0.002 mg/mL and 0.006 mg/mL, respectively. The newly developed method was applied to quantify nicotine in commercially available vaping liquids of various flavour profiles and across a wide range of nicotine concentrations, including those with nicotine salts. Furthermore, a subset of vaping liquids were analyzed to elucidate nicotine stability in various product subtypes. After a period of six months of accelerated storage to mimic one year, the overall mean percent of the original nicotine concentration remaining in the salt-based vaping products was 85% (minimum 64%, maximum 99%) while in the free-base nicotine products it was 74% (minimum 31%, maximum 106%). Nicotine stability in vaping liquids was found to be influenced by the nicotine form (pH) of formulation and its chemical composition. Non-targeted, qualitative analysis of chemical composition of vaping products showed that most constituents were identified and found to be remaining in the products following stability trials; however, three new compounds were tentatively identified in some vaping liquids at the end of the stability trials. Stability studies and the accurate quantitation of nicotine in vaping products can help inform product standards related to the safety, quality and utility of vaping products as a smoking cessation tool. Full article

We previously found that cigarette sidestream smoke particulate matter (CSSP) could activate estrogen receptor ERα to generate estrogen-like tumor-promoting effects. This study sought to identify the compounds responsible for CSSP estrogenicity. We first identified the component compounds using a combination of GC-MS and mass spectral matching. Based on computational estrogenicity prediction, nine potential estrogenic compounds were selected for second GC-MS identification and quantification. Their estrogenic activities at levels detected in the CSSP were verified using an estrogen-responsive reporter assay. Only catechol, a possible human carcinogen, showed significant estrogenic activity, but the activity was too low to justify CSSP estrogenicity. Even so, the mixture of these compounds reconstituted according to their contents in CSSP produced almost one third of the estrogenic activity of CSSP. These compounds acted synergistically to induce greater estrogenic effects at levels without apparent estrogenic activities. Nicotine accounted for approximately 16% of the total CSSP mass. The high abundance raises concerns about nicotine toxicity, including potentially working together with estrogenic chemicals to promote tumor growth. In summary, this study presents a tiered testing approach to identify estrogenic chemicals. Although no individual components are accountable for CSSP estrogenicity, the low-dose mixture effects of CSSP components warrant public health concerns. Full article

Electronic cigarettes (ECs) users’ profiles and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic remain unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore Malaysian EC users’ profiles and their associations with related behaviors during the pandemic. The EC users (N = 351) were recruited from an official national vape entity. Respondents were predominantly of Malay ethnicity (90.6%), aged 31 to 35 years (27.6%), males (97.7%), married (68.7%), from Malaysia’s west region states (63.5%) and tertiary educated (69.2%). The majority (80.3%) were non-dual users, and most purchased their vaping products online (77.2%), liked that they can vape while working at home (83.8%) and vaped more because of boredom (55.3%), had low and moderate nicotine addiction levels (94.9%), had low motivation level to quit EC use (92.6%) and were more likely to perceive that vaping did not increase the chances of complications from COVID-19. Respondents with moderate to high addiction levels had twice the odds of checking on their current EC supplies, whilst respondents with low motivation to quit had higher odds of using their tank/pod until the last drop and distancing from others when vaping. EC users should be encouraged to quit EC use, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

Smoking is one of the most prominent addictions of the modern world, and one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. Although the number of tobacco smokers is believed to be at a historic low, electronic cigarette use has been on a dramatic rise over the past decades. Used as a replacement for cigarette smoking, electronic cigarettes were thought to reduce the negative effects of burning tobacco. Nonetheless, the delivery of nicotine by electronic cigarettes, the most prominent component of cigarette smoke (CS) is still delivering the same negative outcomes, albeit to a lesser extent than CS. Smoking has been shown to affect both the structural and functional aspects of major organs, including the lungs and vasculature. Although the deleterious effects of smoking on these organs individually is well-known, it is likely that the adverse effects of smoking on these organs will have long-lasting effects on the cardiovascular system. In addition, smoking has been shown to play an independent role in the homeostasis of the immune system, leading to major sequela. Both the adaptive and the innate immune system have been explored regarding CS and have been demonstrated to be altered in a way that promotes inflammatory signals, leading to an increase in autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. Although the mechanism of action of CS has not been fully understood, disease pathways have been explored in both branches of the immune system. The pathophysiologically altered immune system during smoking and its correlation with cardiovascular diseases is not fully understood. Here we highlight some of the important pathological mechanisms that involve cigarette smoking and its many components on cardiovascular disease and the immune systems in order to have a better understanding of the mechanisms at play. Full article

Objectives. This study aims at examining the impact of graphic pictorial warning labels on inten-tion to quit smoking and perceived harms among Chinese working-age adults (n = 661). Methods. A randomized controlled trial is utilized as the research design by comparing three scenarios: Group 1 as baseline (n = 193) and presented with real market tobacco products with text-only la-bels, Group 2 as price group and with hypothetical scenarios of manipulated prices, and Group 3 as the imaging group and with hypothetical scenarios of graphic pictorial cigarette warning la-bels. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses are utilized to determine the effectiveness of warn-ing labels. Results. Graphic pictorial cigarette warning labels are associated with stronger inten-tion to quit smoking and greater perceived harms. Smokers have a greater number of attempts if they are less nicotine dependent and express greater smoking risk perceptions. Conclusions. This study adds to the evidence that graphic pictorial warning labels are more effective than text-only labels in increasing intention to quit smoking. As China strives to achieve a reduction in smoking to meet the goal of the Healthy China 2030 initiative, this work strengthens the evidence base for policy makers, practitioners, and researchers to design low-cost warning labels on cigarette packs to promote tobacco control. Full article

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a smartphone application named Quit with US among young adult smokers. An open-label, parallel, 2-group, randomized controlled trial with a 12-week follow-up was conducted between March and November 2020 among undergraduate students (18 to 24 years) in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. A total of 273 participants were assigned by simple randomization procedure to the Quit with US intervention group (n = 137) or the control group (n = 136). All participants received pharmacists’ smoking cessation counseling at baseline and follow-ups. In addition, the intervention group’s participants were advised to use Quit with US. The baseline and 12-week follow-up assessments were conducted at a study unit, whereas other follow-ups were completed over the telephone. The primary abstinence outcome was the exhaled CO concentration level (≤6 ppm) verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence. At baseline, the participants’ mean (standard deviation) age was 21.06 (1.62) years. Most identified as daily smokers (57.9%, n = 158), consumed ≤10 cigarettes daily (89.4%, n = 244), and expressed low level of nicotine dependence as measured by Heaviness of Smoking Index score (86.1%, n = 235). Regarding intention-to-treat analyses, participants in the Quit with US intervention group achieved significantly greater smoking abstinence rate than those in the control group (58.4% (80/137) vs. 30.9% (42/136), risk ratio = 1.89, 95% confidence intervals = 1.42 to 2.52, p < 0.001). In conclusion, Quit with US integrated with pharmacists’ smoking cessation counseling significantly enhanced smoking abstinence rates among young adult light smokers consuming ≤ 10 cigarettes daily. Full article

Microalgal-based remediation is an ecofriendly and cost-effective system for wastewater treatment. This study evaluated the capacity of microalgae in the remediation of wastewater from cleaning process of smoked cigarette butts (CB). At laboratory scale, six strains (one from the family Scenedesmaceae, two Chlamydomonas debaryana and three Chlorella sorokiniana) were exposed to different CB wastewater dilutions to identify toxicity levels reflected in the alteration of microalgal physiological status and to determine the optimal conditions for an effective removal of contaminants. CB wastewater could impact on microalgal chlorophyll and carotenoid production in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the resistance and remediation capacity did not only depend on the microalgal strain, but also on the chemical characteristics of the organic pollutants. In detail, nicotine was the most resistant pollutant to removal by the microalgae tested and its low removal correlated with the inhibition of photosynthetic pigments affecting microalgal growth. Concerning the optimal conditions for an effective bioremediation, this study demonstrated that the Chlamydomonas strain named F2 showed the best removal capacity to organic pollutants at 5% CB wastewater (corresponding to 25 butts L⁻¹ or 5 g CB L⁻¹) maintaining its growth and photosynthetic pigments at control levels. Full article

Background: Low-income U.S. adults experiencing food insecurity have a disproportionately high prevalence of cigarette smoking, and quantitative studies suggest that food insecurity is a barrier to quitting. To guide effective tobacco control strategies, this study aimed to understand the experiences, perceptions, and context of tobacco use and cessation among low-income populations experiencing food insecurity. Methods: We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 23 adults who were currently smoking cigarettes and were experiencing food insecurity, mostly living in rural settings. Participants were recruited through food-pantry-based needs assessment surveys and study flyers in community-based organizations. The interview guide explored participants’ histories of smoking, the role and function of tobacco in their lives, their interest in and barriers to quitting, as well as lived experiences of food insecurity. We used reflexive thematic analysis to analyze transcribed interviews. Results: Within a broader context of structural challenges related to poverty and financial strain that shaped current smoking behavior and experiences with food insecurity, we identified the following five themes: smoking to ignore hunger or eat less; staying addicted to smoking in the midst of instability; smoking being prioritized in the midst of financial strain; life stressors and the difficulty of quitting smoking and staying quit; and childhood adversity at the intersection of food insecurity and tobacco use. Conclusion: The context of tobacco use among adults with food insecurity was highly complex. To effectively address tobacco-related disparities among those who are socially and economically disadvantaged, tobacco control efforts should consider relevant lived experiences and structural constraints intersecting smoking and food insecurity. Findings are applied to a conceptualization of clustering of conditions contributing to nicotine dependence, food insecurity, and stress. Full article

An increasing number of tobacco products are entering the market, offering a variety of options to attain desired nicotine intake. However, little is known about the effect of this diverse marketplace on the experiences and nicotine exposure among tobacco users. A mixed-methods study examined experiences with tobacco products among individuals with relatively lower or higher levels of biomarkers of nicotine exposure. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with younger and older adults to examine tobacco use behaviors, addiction to tobacco products, and nicotine effects. Younger and older adults provided similar narratives about addiction and nicotine effects, which were similar across age groups, product types (i.e., ENDS, combustible cigarettes, or oral tobacco products), and having lower or higher nicotine exposure. Some individuals with higher nicotine exposure who switched from combustible cigarettes to another product (e.g., ENDS) found similar or greater access and perceived addiction to nicotine. Adults with higher and lower levels of nicotine exposure provided narratives consistent with features of nicotine addiction, regardless of age and products used. Availability of multiple tobacco products may be associated with greater access and exposure to nicotine. Addiction may occur at low levels of use and with non-cigarette products. Full article